Each week the Noise highlights under-started names who he believes are destined to torch the competition. To qualify, each player must be started in fewer than 60 percent of Yahoo! leagues. Speaking as an accountability advocate, I will post results, whether genius or moronic, the following week (Scoring thresholds – QB: 18 fantasy points; RB: 12 fantasy points [10 for shockers], WR: 11 fantasy points: TE: 10 fantasy points; .5 PPR).
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins
| Start pct. | 19% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | vs. Commanders |
| BetMGM line | Mia -2.5 |
| BetMGM total | 47.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | 18.69 pts |
If Abraham Lincoln were five-foot nothing, traded in his long black trousers for a pair of calf-hiked sweatpants and had a penchant for coaching a disappointing football team, he might just be Mike McDaniel.
Their gaunt facial features -- scraggly beards included -- are strikingly similar. Abe, however, delivered more eloquent pressers in his day.
One of the former President’s famous lines fits his modern day doppelganger best:” Intensity of thought … will sometimes wear the sweetest idea thread-bare”
Once widely believed to be one of the best offensive minds in the NFL game, McDaniels’ coaching style, questionable play-calling and constant underachievement has indeed demoralized the Dolphins faithful to the point where steady unified “BOOS!” have become a Hard Rock Stadium staple.
The product is bad -- really bad. Well ... for some strange reason except against the Buffalo Bills. We're convinced what occurred last Sunday on South Beach was some sort of demonic sorcery.
Tua’s deterioration has only added to Miami’s misery. On pace for his worst fantasy season in his six-year career, he’s slumped in almost every metric imaginable. Yes, blame the Tyreek Hill season-ending leg injury all you want, but the QB ranks outside the top 20 in several completion percentage categories. Setting the pace in danger plays (17) and near the top in interceptable passes (11), he’s toed an uncomfortable number of lines rather unsuccessfully.
Relegated to the rubbish heap in fantasy circles, he’s tallied 20 or more points in a single game only twice.
This week, though, the visitors could make Tua look like Dan Marino circa ‘86.
Defensively, the Commanders have crashed and burned. Entering Week 11 action, Washington is rock bottom in dropback EPA D, yielding 8.89 pass yards per attempt, 273.7 pass yards per game, 23 total touchdowns and the fifth-most fantasy points to the position. Friendly.
Daniels Jones bye-week seekers and SuperFlex managers alike who deploy Tua are hoping for “four scores.” Given Washington’s woefulness on D, their wish might just be granted.
McDaniel is likely a dead man walking, but in consecutive weeks (!!!) his offense is likely to turn fan frowns upside down.
Fearless Forecast: 224 pass yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 0 interceptions, 3 rush yards, 19.5 fantasy points
JJ McCarthy, Vikings
| Start pct. | 33% on Yahoo |
| Matchup | vs. Bears |
| BetMGM line | Min -3 |
| BetMGM total | 46.5 |
| BetAlytics proj. | 18.57 pts |
A powerful mid-latitude cyclone has plunged those east of the continental divide into an early deep freeze (My advanced Geoscience degree is at work!). It’s not an unknown feeling -- especially in Minnesota -- but the early season timing is quite peculiar.
Sudden temperature shifts from summer-to-fall-to-winter often happens abruptly. When the arctic chill arrives, moods sour, comfort foods are consumed and hot toddies flow.
Winter isn’t coming -- it’s arrived.
Within the creature comforts of U.S. Bank Stadium, a similar frigidity gripped unsuspecting patrons. JJ to JJ was supposed to be dyn-o-mite. Instead, a Week 1 ankle wrench and subsequent Carson Wentz coldness took hold and warranted questions about McCarthy’s development.
Last week, a strong southerly flow, however, ushered in an immediate air mass shift. The skin sting experienced Weeks 2-8 sharply gave way to warmth. Shocking Detroit on the road in Week 9, McCarthy played arguably his best games as a pro, totaling 155 yards and three touchdowns (1 rush). His followup performance in a loss to the Ravens was also fantasy friendly (248-1-2, 48).
The positive steps were refreshing to see. However, the green passer remains a work in progress. Among qualifying QBs, he’s a reprehensible No. 37 in passer rating and No. 37 in adjusted completion percentage on Pro Football Focus. Yes, with arguably the best wide receiver in the NFC on roster -- Justin Jefferson.
The Bears, though, are likely to provide a statistical boost.
The Mice of the Midway have made considerable offensive strides, but the organization’s once vaunted black-and-blue defense couldn’t bruise a peach. Through 10 games, Chicago is No. 21 in dropback EPA D, surrendering 8.21 pass yards per attempt, 252.6 pass yards per game, 23 total touchdowns and the second-most fantasy points to QBs.
The thermometer may read “sack-shrinking” outside the stadium doors, but inside, the rising McCarthy should run hot.
Weather nerding complete. Heavily debate the SKOL slinger in 12-teamers.
Fearless Forecast: 220 passing yards, 2 passing touchdowns, 1 interception, 27 rushing yards, 20.7 fantasy points